There is something else restless in mind, over a series of questions about the funds I raised & viability of the school project. Several "what if" questions and "If.. then... else" scenarios popped up. Am I really getting suck into this, I wondered?
Firstly I need to convince myself this is justifiable in terms of enrollments. Is there a sufficient population base of youths in the region?
What if the school project does not materialize? Then the part of fund I raised should be utilize as subsidy to selected few in higher learning.
Even if the school is built, is funding sufficient to be sustainable? A cash crunch over a few months can be disastrous, all efforts will go down the drain. I have some ideas they can generate an income stream. Is it feasible for them to undertake?
These are really not my problems but I still need a trip up Sangklaburi to clear my mind and touch base with Da Da in person and do some due diligence as well. I felt a sense of responsibility to those who make a contribution.
Sangklaburi is 500KM from where I am, almost a 7 hr drive to get there. Break for lunch at a floating restaurant on River Kwai, Kachanaburi. The infamous "Death Railway" bridge is in sight at the far end.
Speeding long tail boats skimmed over water surface with load of tourists.
It was evening by the time I arrived. Remote may be, this is a scenic town overlooking a huge lake created by Khao Laem Dam. Ha.. a cluster of weaver nests hanging down artificially at the lakeside resort.
Presenting the contributions from fellow swiftlet farmers - as the "Swiflet Community Education Fund" the following morning.
The school site (to the left) is along an isolated stretch of road about 16KM out of town. It is preferable to be at the edge of the main town, I mentioned to Da Da. Currently the nearest place to have such vocational training is Kachanaburi - 220KM away, he replied.
The land adjoins to Baan Da Da orphanage and owned by the foundation. Surprise to me is a fair size village community served by the road not far down. I've also surveyed other villages in the vicinity driving around and get a better perspective on Google Earth.
What if there is insufficient funds to start and no time line to begin?
His response was he has support from the principal of local high school to conduct classroom lessons there and would start building the workshops for practical sessions in October. Well, if he started off walking to Phuket with Bht 15 in his pocket, I can believe his determination to pull it off on a much reduced scale. Start with one course and grow from there, I advised.
I toured the grounds of the orphanage and was quite impressed with their achievements. The self built 3-storey children dormitory.
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A building constructed out of self-made mud bricks behind the basket ball court.
A weaving room to teach local women folks skill of the craft.
Girls having a break in the yard. Behind is a music hall where the children band practiced for the evening performance.
Beyond the core activity areas are well established fruit orchard & vegetable gardens, tended by residents. Evidence of their spirit of self sufficiency that become part of up bringing.
A fully grown avocado tree.
Pineapples planted between rubber trees. A good number of rubber trees planted 3 years back, an investment to supplement operational expenses of the orphanage in future.
A new plot of arable land being prepared alongside matured bananas trees.
Maximizing land usage - vegetables plots between rubber trees.
A well tended vegetable garden and more are still developing.
I proposed they go organic and we visited a nearby NGO to obtain some worm culture. Once they get a hang of it, I'll sponsor their start-up of a commercial scale vermi-compost facility. Finally I see some parallel to my hobby farm activities.
In the evening, the children performed at Songalia Resort. Performers keep 20% of receipt as pocket money and 80% goes toward paying school fees.
Da Da in animated gesture guiding the drummer from sideline.
The group of visiting volunteers came by to lend their support too.
It is a good feeling if a little contribution do make a difference in others life. To me "Giving is not necessary helping", but "Helping people who help themselves" is more meaningful and worthwhile. My mind is cleared now.
What I like to do as a hobby farm is what they do to live!
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